Fluid pump or motor



Feb. 6, 1968 R. A. WORKMAN FLUID PUMP OR MOTOR Filed Aug. 18, 196* 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 6 A- MMZM Feb. 6, 1968 R. A. WORKMAN FLUID PUMP OR MOTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 18, 1965 Feb. 6, 1968 R. A. WORKMAN 3,36

FLUID PUMP OR MOTOR Filed Aug. 18, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR Feb. 6, 1968 R. A. WORKMAN FLUID PUMP OR MOTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 18, 1965 Fig.

IN VEN TOR United States Patent Ofitice 3,367,275 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 3,367,275 FLUID PUMP R MOTOR Reginald A. Workman, RR. 1, West Huntington, Ontario, Canada Filed Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,725 10 Claims. (Cl. 103-129) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A rotary, fluid moving or actuated apparatus, having positive displacement. Internal co-operating elements using rollers permits a relatively wide speed range. Apparatus may contain elements to provide infinitely variable displacement during operation.

This invention relates to fluid pumps and motors of the rotary type and more particularly relates to displace ment of fluid by means of rollers attached to a plate adapted to rotate as a. unit, the rollers being enmeshed with a mating gear or gears.

Previous attempts have been made and a number of rotary and displacement units exist. However, in such units the displacement involves only a portion of the roller and in most instances is less than one-half of the roller diameter. In addition to the above, in known previous units, the roller usually depend upon some member of the unit to retain the same in position, i.e., the rollers usually slide on an internal wall of the central pump chamber and thus develops a sliding friction. This latter feature causes excessive wear due to the sliding contact and also results in a decrease in efficiency of the unit.

It is therefore the main purpose of this invention to provide a device for use as a fluid motor or pump which consists of a housing having a central chamber, a rotary assembly together with a gate in said chamber separating the latter into a first and second fluid chamber, said rotary unit will be composed of an internal gear, an external gear and a plurality of rollers, these rollers being secured to and projecting from a face of a plate, each 'of the above mentioned gears and plate being independently mounted upon a shaft, the external gears being confined within the internal gear, the rollers being interposed between the gears and enmesh therewith, wherein each of the adjacent pairs of rollers together with the gears form variable volume chambers, the unit thereby, together with said gate, being adapted to transfer fluid from one chamber to another.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of i the appended claims.

In the drawings:

' FIGURE 1 is an external oblique view of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an oblique view of a roller mounting plate-and attached shaft.

I FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIGURE 3 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional elevational view of a modified unit taken along the lines 55 of FIGURE 6 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIGURE 5 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a still further modified form of the invention taken along the lines 7--7 of FIGURE 8 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 8 is a vertical elevational view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIGURE 7 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the lines 99 of FIGURE 10 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 10 is a vertical elevation view taken along the lines 1010 of FIGURE 9 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of a modified form of the invention.

FIGURE 12 is a view taken along the lines 12-12 of FIGURE 11 and viewed in a direction indicated by the arrows.

According to this invention as shown in FIGURE 1 is a device 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention and intended for use in a fluid system as either a pump or motor.

The device 10 consist of a housing formed from a pair of separable parts 11 and 12 detachably secured together by studs 13.

The housing confines an internal central chamber 14 separated by a rotating assembly 15 and gate 16 diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURE 1, into a pair of fluid confining non-communicating chambers 17 and 18 having respective ports 17a and 18a.

The gate 16 consists of a boss 19 formed integrally with the housing sections and projecting inwardly into the central chamber. A clearer understanding of the construction and function of the gate 16 will be seen hereinafter and it will also be seen that the boss 19 need not be integral with the housing but rather may be a separate element. Furthermore the boss has a separate element may be movable thereby to vary the volumetric capacity of the unit by varying the volum of respective chambers 17 and 18.

The rotating assembly 15 cosists of respective external and internal gears 20 and 21, having a plurality of rollers 22 interposed therebetween. Rollers 22 are rotatably mounted upon pins 23 secured to and projecting from the face of a plate 24, the gears and the roller assembly are independently rotably mounted upon shafts.

Referring to FIGURE 4 of the drawings, internal gear 21 consists of an annular toothless member journalled upon an extension of shaft 25 by suitable bearing 26. Shaft 25 as will be noted from FIGURE 4, is formed integral with housing part 11 and projects into the central chamber. This shaft, however, may also be journalled in the housing part 11 and additionally project externally therefrom. In the latter instance, a shaft may be secured to plate 24 to rotate therewith. In the event gear 21 includes teeth, the shaft 25 may be secured thereto. Plate 24 is also journalled upon shaft 25 by the suitable bearing 27.

Internal gear 20 is physically located externally of the remaining members of the rotary assembly, but since the teeth are directed inwardly it is termed as an internal gear. Gear 29 consists of a disc portion 28 secured to a shaft 29 which in turn is journalled in housing section 12 by a bearing 30. Suitable packing 31 is provided. The packing may be retained by any suitable means such as a gland nut, which is well known in the art.

A flanged portion 32 may be integral with the disc 28 or it may be a separate member attached thereto. Flange 32 projects outwardly from a face of the disc adjacent its periphery and formed on the internal surface is a plurality of teeth 33 which number one more than the number of rollers. The external peripheral surface 34 of the flange and disc are preferably flush and are circular, concentrically with shaft 29. This is of necessity since spaced portions of surface 34 are in sliding contact or in near proximity with the boss 19 thereby to divide the central cavity into the pair of chambers. The disc portion of the gear 20 has a plurality of apertures 35 therethrough, each aperture being located in the trough portion between adjacent pairs of teeth. The apertures 35 permit entry and exit of fluid between adjacent rollers thereby permitting the transfer of fluid from one chamber to the other upon rotation of the rotary assembly. The apertures 35 are of less diameter than the width of the face of the boss 19, the purpose of which is readily apparent. Preferably the boss 19 is of sutficient width to cover a pair of adjacent apertures 35. The respective housing sections each have a recess which together form the central cavity. The recess in housing section 11 confines the disc 24 and pins rollers thereon project into the recess in housing section 12 wherein is confined gears 20 and 21. The plurality of rollers 22 are concentric with the disc mounting shaft 25 and are in near proximity to the peripheral surface of the gear 21. Shaft 29 is axially parallel with and laterally offset from shaft 25 and the rollers are enmeshed with the teeth of gear 20.

If desired shaft 25 may be fixed to plate 24 to rotate therewith and it may also be journalled in housing section 11 and project therethrough. It will be noted from FIGURE 3 that the shaft is shown formed integral with the housing section.

In operation of the device 10, as a pump assuming shaft 20 is driven by an electric motor and port 18a is connected to a fluid supply which enters through ports 35 into varying voluming chambers between adjacent pairs of rollers. Clock-wise rotation (as viewed in FIGURE 4) of gear 20 causes fluid to be transfered from chambers 17 to chamber 18, boss 19 serving to cover an aperture 35 during each transfer.

For use as a motor fluid may be supplied under pressure to port 17a or 18a and discharged through the other port the flow of fluid causing the rotary assembly to rotate.

FIGURES and 6 illustrate a modified device wherein the housing consists of a pair of separable sections 101 and 102, detachably secured together by studs 103.

A rotating assembly 104 is confined within the central chamber and an outer portion thereof is in sliding contact with an internal rib 105 thereby dividing the central chamber into a pair of separate fluid confining chambers 106 and 107. The rib is provided with a sealing member 108 mounted within a suitable groove. The rotating assembly 104 consists of an internal gear 109 depending from a plate 109a which is secured to a shaft 110 journalled in the housing section 102; the gear 112 and a mounting plate and roller assembly 113. The housing section 101 has a shaft 115, formed integral therewith and projecting into the central chamber. The shaft includes a first portion 116 is centrically positioned with respect to shaft 110 and a second portion 117 of smaller diameter, and is centrically positioned with respect to the first portion. The plate 113a of the plate and roller assembly 113 is rotatably mounted upon the first portion 116 of the shaft and the gear 112 is rotatably mounted upon the second portion 117. The rollers 118 include a portion 119 of reduced diameter which projects into bearings 120 set into the plate. The rollers are in rolling contact with the internal and external gears. Apertures 121 are provided in the plate 109a at the trough between adjacent pairs of teeth on the internal gear and such apertures provide fluid entry and exit means between the members. Except for the central rib, which is in sliding contact with V 4 the rotatable member, it will be noted from FIGURE 6 that a portion of the chamber, as illustrated at 125"extends laterally between the rotating assembly.

As previously mentioned, the bosses which form the gate, together with the rotating assembly, separate the unit into a pair of fluid confining chambers and such bosses preferably are diametrically opposite to one another. Means may also be provided whereby such bosses, forming the gate or portion thereof, may be movable, thereby providing means whereby the chambers can be varied in volume.

FIGURES 7 to 10 inclusive illustrate an embodiment wherein a portion of the gate is adjustable. The device 150, shown in FIGURE 7 consists of a pair of separable sections 151, 152 detachably secured together as by studs 153. As in the case of FIGURE 1, a rotating assembly 154 for convenience shown partially and in dotted lines is mounted within a chamber and together with a boss 155 divides the chamber into a pair of fluid chambers. Boss 155 projects from the face of a disc 156 adapted for rotation about the shaft 158 and included in the disc is a radial groove 159. Alternatively the boss may constitute a bar as is illustrated in FIGURE 10.

The disc is rotatable in the housing chamber and actuated by a shaft 160 extending through the housing section 151. A lever 161 is attached to the inner end of the shaft and rotates therewith within a recess 162. A pin 163 extends from the arm and slides in the groove 159 thereby to transfer movement of the shaft to the gate mounting disc 157. The above described arrangement permits the gate manipulating shaft to be eccentric with respect to the rotatable shaft.

FIGURES 9 and 10 illustrate a gate consisting of a bar 200 mounted upon a shaft 201 journalled in housing section 202. Rotation of the gate varies the volume of chambers 203 and 204 having respective ports 205 and 206. Bar 200 may, if desired, have projecting end portions 207 which are in sliding contact with the rotary assembly or alternatively the rotary assembly may be in sliding contact with a surface of the internal chamber.

FIGURES 11 and 12 illustrate a still further modified form wherein the rotary assembly consist of an external gear 301 journ-alled upon a shaft 302; a roller and plate assembly 303, secured to a shaft 304 journalled in the housing and having the rollers 305 in mesh with the gear and a disc 306 journalled upon an enlarged portion 307 of shaft 302 and eccentric with respect thereto. Disc 306 includes a circumferential outwardly projecting flange 308. The inner surface of flange 308 is in near proximity to the outermost edge of the rollers during rotation of the assembly.

To permit transfer of fluid from one chamber to the other, the disc 306 or the mounting plate of assembly 303 may be provided with suitably arranged apertures to be covered with a rib 309.

What I now claim is:

1. A device for use as a fluid motor or pump comprising a housing defining a central chamber, a rotary assembly mounted within said chamber, and a gate means positioned within said central chamber and arranged to co-operate with said rotary assembly to divide the central chamber into first and second chambers, fluid inlet and outlet ports communicating with said first and second chambers respectively, said rotary assembly including an outer element and an inner element the latter disposed within said outer element and in a radially spaced relation therewith, said elements being mounted for rotation about axes eccentrically located with respect to each other, at least one of said elements having teeth formed thereon projetcing inwardly of the space existing between the inner and outer elements, a rotatably mounted roller mounting means having a plurality of rollers secured thereto, said rollers projecting into the space between said inner and outer elements and arranged in meshing relationship with said teeth whereby adjacent pairs of said rollers together with said inner and outer elements and said housing form variable volume chambers which expand and contract in volume upon each revolution of the rotary assembly, one of said elements having a series of ports therein for establishing sequential communication of said variable volume chambers with said first and second chambers as said rotary assembly rotates within said housing, and a power transmitting shaft secured to a member of said rotary assembly for rotation therewith.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said teeth are formed on said outer element and project inwardly of the space between the inner and outer elements.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said teeth are formed on said inner element and project outwardly towards said outer element.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein both said inner and outer elements have teeth formed thereon, the teeth of both said inner and outer elements being in meshing relationship with said rollers.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said ports are formed in said outer element, and wherein said gate is in sliding contact with said outer element and serves to sequentially establish communication of said ports with said first and second chambers as said rotary element is rotated.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein said gate means is angularly adjustable thereby to permit variation of the angular position at which said ports establish communication with said first and second chambers thereby to vary the respective numbers of expanding and contracting variable volume chambers which are in communication with said first and second chambers thereby to vary the effective displacement of the device.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said rollers are in constant rolling contact with at least one of said inner and outer elements.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said roller mounting means comprises a disc, and means for rotatably mounting said disc with respect to said housing,

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein each of said rollers are rotatably mounted with respect to said disc.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said gate means is angularly adjustable thereby to permit variation of the angular position at which said ports establish communication with said first and second chambers thereby to vary the respective numbers of expanding and contracting variable volume chambers which are in communication with said first and second chambers thereby to vary the effective displacement of the device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,968,113 7/1934 Weaver 103--l26 2,586,964 2/1952 Kraissl l03l36 2,657,638 11/1953 English 103-136 2,672,824 3/1954 Quintilian 103-126 2,672,825 3/ 1954 Quintilian 103126 2,790,394 4/1957 Mori 103--126 2,956,506 10/1960 Brundage 103l20 3,022,741 2/1962 Brundage 103l20 DONLEY J. STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

WILBUR I. GOODLIN, Examiner. 

